Renal sympathetic nerve ablation is an operation in which the nerve used by the brain to tell kidneys to raise blood pressure is burned out in a series of very tiny burns. The procedure is considered simple, takes about an hour, and appears to lower blood pressure permanently.
110 patients are taking part in the trial, with half taking drugs only and the other half taking drugs and getting the operation.
It is hoped that the operation will enable some currently on medication to reduce it or come off it, and will provide a treatment for those who do not respond to medication.
The brain uses the renal nerve to signal the kidneys to leave large amounts of salt in the blood, even in those who eat little salt. This increases the volume of blood leading to an increase in pressure. The kidneys also produce hormones causing blood vessels to contract, also raising pressure.
This trial follows on from earlier results on renal sympathetic nerve ablation published in The Lancet on 30th March 2009.
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